SLMPD launches Drone as First Responder Transparency Portal

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has launched a Drone as First Responder Transparency Portal.

According to police, the online portal will let residents review drone flights and flight paths, as well as calls resolved without officer dispatch, how frequently drones respond to emergencies, average flight time data and deployment information.

“Transparency and public trust must be at the center of how we introduce new technology into policing,” said Chief Robert J. Tracy. “We want the people of St. Louis to see how these drones are being used, where they are responding, and the difference they are making. This portal provides our community with a direct look at how we’re using this technology to support officers, improve emergency response, and make informed decisions when seconds matter most.”

Last week, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Aerial Response Unit responded to its first 911 call, hours after the Board of Police passed the program.

Click here to view the Aerial Response Unit Transparency Portal.